Detection of rabies virus in Callithrix penicillata (Geoffroy, 1812) in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

This report describes the occurrence of the rabies virus in two species of wild animals in the urban area of Montes Claros (MOC), Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in May 2023. The virus has been detected in frugivorous chiropterans ( Artibeus sp ) and marmosets ( Callithrix penicillata ). This is the first notified case of the rabies virus in the species C. penicillata in the urban area of MOC. Our findings show that the rabies virus is circulating in the urban area of MOC; therefore, permanent preventive measures must be adopted to avoid infection of other animals and humans.